by Kim Loraine
"My pleasure. There are a few perks to owning a hotel. This is one of them."
"You're the owner?" My shock is clear in my tone.
He nods. "Lincoln Harper, but you can call me Linc." He puts his hand on the small of my back, and I nearly melt on the spot. "Now, Miss Baker, allow me to escort you to your room."
"Oh, I'm sure I can find it on my own." I don't know why I'm protesting. This handsome British guy basically rode in like a knight on a white horse and saved me. He's my prince charming. I should welcome every minute I have with him.
"Ah, but I think I'd like to get to know you a little. Since I'm letting you stay here on faith." He grins as we step into the elevator. "How long will you be staying with us?"
"A week. I'm here for a reunion tomorrow. But I'm staying longer so I can spend some time in the city without a bunch of stuff to do."
His eyes burn into mine. "And you came alone?"
I shrug and look away. "I used to live here. I'm not afraid of the city." Then I think of the car and my missing bag. "But I guess I'm a little out of practice. I lost my wallet and my suitcase in one fell swoop. It's bad enough I'm going to my sorority reunion without a boyfriend, but I'll have to go dressed in yoga pants and a tank top. All I have is a failing farm in Montana that I don't want and a degree I can't use."
Stop rambling, I tell myself. I'm going to scare British Superman away. His hand rises, and he brushes a stray tear from my cheek. There's tenderness in his gaze.
"Charity, I think we can help each other. I have a proposition for you."
The Virgin’s Fake Fiancé
Sneak Peek
Rescuing His Virgin
Keep reading for the first chapter of Clover and Sawyer’s story in Rescuing His Virgin.
Rescuing His Virgin
Chapter 1
Clover
“You didn’t mention these firefighters would be the hot variety,” I whisper to Kelsey as I watch the five groomsmen walk into the lobby of The Stanton hotel. They’re all broad shoulders, chiseled jaws, and each one looks like trouble.
“Well, Dave is hot. Why would you assume all of his firefighter buddies wouldn’t be?”
Her fiancé is gorgeous, clean cut, built, and totally not my type. I like them rough and a little dangerous. In short, I like a bad boy. “Because that’s the stereotype. I figured Dave was a rare find.”
She laughs and waves across the aisle at the man in question. He’s smiling at her like she’s his entire world, and honestly, she should be. Kelsey has been through a lot with that man. The injuries, nights spent waiting up to see if he’s coming home after a bad call, and the distance. She’s told me time and again, being with a firefighter can be lonely. They need time to process the things they see and typically, they don’t like to talk about it. I’ve been there, done that with a man who wouldn’t communicate. Never again.
“Please tell me I’m walking down the aisle with a cousin or brother.”
Kelsey inspects her manicure a few seconds too long and I instantly know what she’s going to say. “Sawyer is like a brother to Dave. Does that help?”
“Is he a fire house brother?”
She frowns. “Yes, but hear me out, Dave said Sawyer is one of the best firefighters he’s ever been on a crew with. He’s a great guy.” I fight back the complaint and watch her glance nervously around the lobby. This is her weekend, not mine. “It’s not like you’re staying in the same room all weekend. You just have to make nice and walk down the aisle. Then…let the chips fall where they may.”
I sigh and tug at the skirt of my dress to make sure it sits right. “Fine. It’s just a few days together, what’s the worst that could happen, right?”
She grins. “I know one thing that could happen.”
A nervous flutter begins in my belly. “Kels…what are you plotting?”
“I just thought, since you’ve been saying you want to finally trade in your V-card, I’d do you a favor. Just promise you won’t tell Dave I set you two up.”
“What?”
“Let’s just say, your knight in shining bunker gear is right over there. If I were you, I wouldn’t pass up the opportunity.”
I follow her gaze to the group of guys and wonder which of those men is for me. Sawyer. Even his name is sexy. Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I paste a smile on my face. “Okay. Are you ready to rehearse this thing so we can go have a drink and eat food? I’m starving.”
A laugh falls from her and she shakes her head. “Not everyone is here yet.”
“Who is missing?”
“Hunter and Emma. She’s like nine months pregnant so I’m surprised she’s even coming tonight.” Her gaze travels to the front door and she smiles. “Oh, there they are. Great, we can get started.” She bustles over to Emma and Hunter, dispenses hugs as the heavily pregnant woman walks in with her husband at her side. The way he looks at her mimics Dave’s devotion to Kelsey. It makes me long for that kind of love.
“It looks like you’re mine.” The deep rumble of a dangerously sexy voice fills my ears and makes tingles rush to places they shouldn’t even as his claim on me raises my hackles.
“Excuse me?” I turn on my heels, ready to shut this guy down, but my mouth runs dry at the olive toned skin, light green eyes, and dark hair.
“You’re my bridesmaid.” He grins, flashing perfectly straight, white teeth. “I’m Sawyer Harrison.”
He holds out a hand and I stare at it. The man is enormous. His palms are big enough I bet he could hold a basketball in one without a struggle. Coming to my senses I take his offered hand and shake. “I’m Clover Danvers.”
He cocks an eyebrow. “Clover?”
I shrug. “My mom took the whole flower child thing literally.”
“I like it. It’s different. I’ll never forget your name. There’s a sea of Amys and Kristins. But only one Clover.”
My chest warms at his statement. There’s something about him that makes me want to stand out. I don’t want him to forget me. “Well, I’ll probably forget you because Sawyer is such a common name.”
“Oh, really? How many Sawyers do you know?”
“Plenty…Tom…Sawyer…” I start, but I can’t come up with another.
“My point exactly.” His smug smile has me fighting my own grin.
“So, did you bring a girlfriend who’ll be staring daggers at me while we’re trapped together?” I’m teasing, but I see the glint of discomfort behind his gaze.
“No. No girlfriend.”
“Oh…boyfriend?”
His eyes go wide and he frowns. “What? No. What made you think that?”
“I just…I didn’t want to assume—”
“How about you? Boyfriend?”
My cheeks blaze. “Not at the moment.” In fact, I’ve been single for way too long, but he doesn’t need to know that.
“Good. Then you won’t mind being my date for the next two days.”
Now it’s my turn to go wide-eyed. “What?”
“I’m not interested in everything that comes along with being in the bridal party.”
“Oh, you mean the whole available guy in a tux thing?”
He nods. “Right. I don’t have a girlfriend because I don’t want one. I’ve got way too much going on in my life to focus on a woman.”
“Ditto.”
Those lips of his turn up in a grin. “So, you’ll be my date? Keep the drunk singles away?”
I laugh. “I’ll beat them away with a stick if I have to.”
“And I’ll stake my claim tonight during dinner. No one will come near you once they know you’re mine.”
A thrill runs through me at the dominance and possession in his tone. I wonder what it would feel like to really be his, to be in his arms—his bed. I have to clear my throat before I can answer. “Sounds perfect.”
He threads my fingers with his and tugs us forward. “Come on, they’re starting.”
The feel of our hands linked together has a dangerou
s need building in my chest. I already like his touch too much. But as we approach the bridal party, I wonder if I can make the most of this wedding. Sawyer and I don’t want relationships, but he didn’t say anything about not wanting a no-strings weekend. Maybe Kelsey was on to something. Maybe tonight is the night I finally give up my virginity. There’s not going to be a more handsome man interested, and something about Sawyer makes me feel…safe.
Kelsey’s entire face lights up when she sees us holding hands. “Oh, wow. Looks like you two are getting along.”
I smile and nod. “You were right.”
“I always am.” She looks entirely too pleased. She’s probably already planning our engagement party.
The wedding planner bustles in and leads us to the beautiful garden area where the ceremony will be held. Then she lines us all up so we can practice the march down the aisle.
“Remind me to thank Dave later,” Sawyer whispers in my ear as he offers his arm.
“For what?”
Music filters through a speaker, an imitation of the live string quartet we’ll have tomorrow, and the line of the bridal party begins to walk.
“For setting me up with the most beautiful bridesmaid.”
Oh, no. He’s swoony. I wasn’t prepared for that. But then his jade eyes lock on mine and he grins. My heart stutters and I stumble, my toe catching on one of the uneven stones making up our path.
Sawyer is there, catching me before I hit the ground. “I’ve got you,” he murmurs, holding me in his strong arms, my face buried in his chest and my senses on overdrive. He smells amazing. Clean and crisp. Masculine. Perfect.
Embarrassment rushes over me and I let out a self-conscious giggle. “Thanks. I’m glad you’re here to save the day.”
He winks and starts us on our path once more. “It’s my job.”
“Aren’t you off duty?”
“I’ll never turn down the opportunity to rescue a damsel in distress. Especially when she blushes like you.”
“My, my, you’re good.”
We reach the end of the aisle and right before we part ways, he leans in and says, “I’m even better in bed.”
And just like that, I’m a little terrified but I also can’t wait for this rehearsal to be over.
Rescuing His Virgin
